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Waterfront, Private Dock, Ramp, Topsail Island Canal

Photo gallery for Waterfront, Private Dock, Ramp, Topsail Island Canal

A wooden deck with swings over water, a dock, and buildings in the background.
A wooden deck with white Adirondack chairs and a small table, overlooking a marina with boats and buildings.
A covered outdoor patio with white Adirondack chairs and a wooden table, overlooking a residential area with houses and a grassy lawn.
A single-story mobile home with a porch, a gravel driveway, and a small garden area.
A covered porch with wooden chairs and a swing, a striped rug, and a view of the street.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • The great outdoors
    Guests love the outdoor space here.
  • Private garden
    A rare find — relax in the peaceful, private garden space.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Walk to Surf City Beach
4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 9

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue
  • Balcony or patio

Explore the area

View map
Surf City, NC
  • Place, Surf City Beach
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Place, Surf City Pier
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, Wrightsville Beach
    ‪54 min drive‬
  • Airport, Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.)
    ‪51 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 9)

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Front

1 Queen Bed

Hall bedroom

1 Double Bed

Living Room

1 Single Bed

Main bedroom

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Front

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Hall

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Master

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden

About this property

Waterfront, Private Dock, Ramp, Topsail Island Canal

“Fat Matt’s” is a 1200 sf, 1 story soundside retreat originated in 1977 and has grown and been remodeled over the years. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, plus awesome outdoor shower off the large master bedroom. 8 sleep comfortably in beds plus 1 more on the sectional sofa. Screened back porch with outdoor fridge overlooks your private dock and unbelievable sunsets over the sound. Back porch morning coffee and evening cocktails with spectacular sunsets is our favorite place to be. Each year we see dolphins pass our dock!

Huge back patio for cornhole, oyster roasts, and sunbathing. Shallow ramp on site for jet skis or small boats. Put your larger boat in at the public tamp and drive to our own dock and tie up for the week. 10 minute boat ride to the Intracoastal Waterway or cruise the other 6 canals. 20 minute boat ride to Sears Landing or JM's on the Water where you can dock, eat, and drink like a local.

Our shack is 2 and 1/4 miles north of the Surf City Causeway. 1/4 mile walk to the Trailer Bar, less than 1/2 mile to the beach and park. Restaurants and bars less than 1 mile north and many others within 2 miles south, including the Surf City Pier.

Spacious Main bedroom (queen) has lots of windows sound side, a private 1/2 bath, A 50" smart TV and private entrance to the outdoor shower with hot water. Bedroom 2 (Queen) has a private door to the screen porch and window view of the sound as well. Bedroom 3 (full) is cozy and comfortable, and Bedroom 4 (Queen) has a 40" flat screen and private full bathroom with a shower.

Hall full bathroom was remodeled in 2024 with a new shower and custom vanity.

Laundry room is located off the kitchen and has most beach toys you'll need including floats, chairs, etc.

Living Room has a sectional sofa and a 50" smart TV. Front/side porch has swings and a bench for gathering, an outdoor fridge, table, and a propane grill. If propane runs out guests will need to provide their own.

Kitchen has everything you should need. Keurig coffee or regular brew pot, upgraded electric range/oven, upgraded range hood, side by side fridge with icemaker and filtered water on the door.

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
The reservation guest must be at least 25 and pres
There are no parties allowed. This is a family h
This is our home. All guests are expected to care

Important information

You need to know

Property # 2482578vb
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Surf City

Located in Surf City, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Surf City Beach and Holly Shelter Game Land reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Ohana Paddle Sports and Thomas Tackle and Seafood. Mia's Marketplace and The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center are also worth visiting. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with ecotours and cycling nearby.
View more Holiday homes in Surf CityOpens in a new window
Map
Surf City, NC

What's nearby

  • Surf City Beach - 12 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Surf City Pier - 5 min drive - 4.3 km
  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington - 49 min drive - 66.0 km
  • Riverwalk - 53 min drive - 67.9 km
  • Wrightsville Beach - 54 min drive - 61.2 km

Getting around

  • Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.) - 47 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Shaka Taco - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Coconut Cove - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Surf City Line - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Sear's Landing - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Nikki's Sushi Restaurant - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Waterfront, Private Dock, Ramp, Topsail Island Canal pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Waterfront, Private Dock, Ramp, Topsail Island Canal?

As of 7 July 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Waterfront, Private Dock, Ramp, Topsail Island Canal on 31 Oct 2026 start from AU$690, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Waterfront, Private Dock, Ramp, Topsail Island Canal?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Waterfront, Private Dock, Ramp, Topsail Island Canal?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Waterfront, Private Dock, Ramp, Topsail Island Canal?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Waterfront, Private Dock, Ramp, Topsail Island Canal located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 0.5 mi (0.9 km) from Surf City Beach and within 3 miles (5 km) of Back in Touch Massage, Yoga, & Lomilomi and Permuda Island. Inis Spa and Escape Spa are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 14 out of 17 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 17 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 17 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 17 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 17 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lisa W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Summer vacation!

What a great property! The house had plenty of room for 7 people, a fully stocked kitchen and a short walk to the beach. We had so much fun swimming, fishing, and relaxing in the chairs or swings on the dock. The owner is very gracious to let renters have access to the kayaks, paddle board, boogie boards and beach chairs.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

angie m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place! We absolutely loved the back yard! The use of all of the outdoor activities was such an added plus since our boat was in the shop! Will definitely consider this rental again! Only issue is the inside showers were very small, but the outdoor one was perfect!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amy T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stay cation

This property was overall a wonderful and relaxing experience. Very spacious, with lots of amenities available on site. So gracious of the owners to allow the renters access to kayaks, and body boards. Dock was easy to access with two boats.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to gather

Our family stayed for 2 nights prior to my son's wedding. There was plenty of room for the 6 of us and the amenities were great! The owner responds quickly and was great to deal with.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Oct 2022
Thank you Jennifer! We are glad you enjoyed your stay and appreciate your kind review! Matt
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kaylyn M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Small slice of paradise

We absolutely loved everything about our stay! The outdoor shower was just one of our favorites! We loved the swings and dock so much too! Our neighbors were pretty amazing as well! House was stocked with everything you needed for a beach stay! Will definitely be back💕
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great waterfront vacation home!

The house was ideal for our stay, very nice outdoor dock and covered sitting area. Everything was provided to play in the Intercoastal or go to the beach. I really liked the setup of the outdoor shower as well. I brought my own boat and there was plenty of room to tie it up at the dock and still have room to fish and swim. We were even able to catch and eat some blue crabs right off the dock! We will definitely be back in the future!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kelsey Merreck W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect beach getaway

I think we were the first people to stay at this VRBO and I am so glad we did!! The house is so cute with comfy bedrooms, a nice living room to relax and watch tv, and a fully stocked kitchen for cooking. There are two porches and a dock on the canal with beautiful views of the inlets and you can watch the sunset from the swings and chairs on the dock. Beach is about a 5 minute walk to open access spots. Our favorite part was the private outdoor shower under the sun. relaxing and great vacation, we will definitely be back.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Mar 2022
Thank you so much for your review Kelsey. We are glad you enjoyed your stay!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amity M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic for Family and Fishing

Our stay was perfect! The house had everything we needed. A room full of fun items that we all enjoyed. My teenage boys who love fishing were in heaven. Floats, boards, chairs, nets, traps and much more. We fished every day from the dock and the kayaks. Learning to paddle board was fun. Enjoying time with family relaxing by the water was priceless. We enjoyed the house more than the beach. We loved the true beach house feel instead of the new rental cookie cutter homes that seem to pop up everywhere. We would definitely stay again and recommend to anyone.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect!

This was exactly what my family wanted and needed as a getaway for my husband’s birthday. We’ve rented several places before that all claimed to have space and access for our 24’ boat and 30’ trailer, but none of them worked out like this one. We spent as much time outside and on our boat as possible and we wouldn’t have been able to without the amazing setup. If you’re a boater, this place is perfect. My young kids (1, 3, and 5) all had a blast playing on/in the water in the beautiful outdoor spaces and really enjoyed all the games inside. Definitely recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Oct 2022
Wow Stephanie, thanks for that great review!! We put a lot of thought and work into making it the best it can be. It’s great to hear you love it the way we do. Please come back anytime! Matt
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mendoza F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gorgeous house very near the beach ( we went for some walks and enjoyed the view while walking) The house has 4 rooms. The rooms were comfy. The main room is super nice and spacious. We loved all the beach decorations they have around. They have a gorgeous view in the backyard with a canal where you can fish. My husband caught a variety of small fish, some blue crabs, and even shrimp (he caught the shrimp using a net). My husband brought his boat and he used it for a whole day to ride around the bridge. He even caught a small shark near the Surf City bridge. (Just for your information you have to download your boat at the public ramp which was fine for us). All the restaurants were amazing. We loved The Margaritas Mexican Restaurant near the pier. They have amazing margaritas there. The beach is beautiful and blue. This is our first time coming to here, and we really like it. The owner is very kind and attentive. He responds very quick to any question you may have. The neighbors are very sweet and kind. THANKS so much for sharing your home with us. The Mendoza family.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Caitlin J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Small Home, Great Dock

This house was a great deal. We loved the backyard area and the deck was perfect for hanging out day and night. The kayaks and beach chairs were very helpful. This house is small! We had 6 adults, a 3 year old, and a 1.5 year old. Several rooms were too small for pack and plays. Many breakable items around the home in easy reach. The kitchen was small and not very well equipped. There weren’t enough forks, only one pot to cook in, and the ice machine was jammed up. There were several mini fridges which helped balance the small refrigerator. Almost no counter space so the small table had to be used for that purpose, leaving nowhere for us to eat together. There were also warnings not to leave food out or there would be ants. There were issues with the air conditioner system during a heatwave but the owner was very responsive and helpful, providing window units as backup. Overall we had a great stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Chris K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Summer vacation perfection

Our family of 4 stayed here for a week. We are relatively local and live in a town close to another beach. So the beach itself is not a huge deal for us. We just wanted to be together since our son is almost finished with college and about to go into the real world and our daughter is finishing high school this year so this our last hurrah. We spent so much time on that back deck area. It was so comfortable and lovely. As far as the house - it was so well done for a relatively small space. You could tell the owners put a lot of love in to decorating and making it just perfect. Everything we needed was there. It was clean and cozy and very sweet. The outdoor shower was so awesome. I did hate the mirror I will admit but easy peasy to cover it with a towel. The kids enjoyed the kayak and paddle board and I even gave it a brief whirl. Our son’s girlfriend came down and it was great to have an extra room for her as well. The short walk to the beach was nice and the short ride to town was also convenient. We walked the high rise one night for an extra treat. We have always enjoyed TI and will definitely come back to Fat Matt’s. Highly recommended. Thank you so much for sharing your treasure with us!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

v m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Worth the stay

Our family had so much fun at this house! The views and sunset every evening was amazing. We enjoyed the dock area. So much room for friends and family. The house was stocked with boogie boards, kayaks, paddle boards, corn hole, beach umbrellas, beach chairs, games, inflatable tubes & so much more! The outdoor shower connected to the master bedroom was the best part. We were a little bummed we wasn’t able to use boat lift as listed in ad but no worries we just put our boat in across the way after making friends. We was able to put both our jet skies in at the dock beside the house, they fit under owners boat on lift perfect. Watch out for the not so nice neighbors, even if your on the path to the dock they still told us to stay off grass even on our property. They ran table saws at 7:00 am just about everyday. So hopefully they will be done with projects by the time new people come. They definitely don’t like renters lol, but we didn’t let that keep us from having fun. Our host kat and Matt were awesome. Just a text away if something happens. We had no trouble. You won’t regret renting this property. we took the boat out everyday and took trips to Lee island. Easy access to the beaches. The house was stocked with extra pillows blankets and so much more. It’s a must see! We hope to bring our family back to this house. Thanks so much for having us.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 24 June 2023
Thank you Val for those kind words! I am so glad you enjoyed your stay! Last year we were going to make the lift available for an extra charge but no one was interested. So this year I opted to store my own boat on it. I will update the listing so there’s no confusion. Please come back any time!! Matt
Verified

8/10 Good

Ashley P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Very nice place but not for tall people

The check-in process was easy, the place was very clean, and our family really enjoyed spending time on the dock and using the outdoor shower. Our kids loved jumping off the swings into the sound, the hammocks were relaxing, and we enjoyed the kayaks and paddle boards provided. Communication from the host was great and we appreciated the restaurant recommendations. Beach chairs and an umbrella were provided but I would recommend bringing your own as the umbrella was small and could not withstand a windy day. The listing and the photos were accurate except that the listing did not mention that the ceilings are very low which made it feel quite small to our tall family. My husband is 6'3" and almost hit his head when walking through doorways. Even my 10-yr old daughter could reach up and touch the ceiling without standing on her toes. We likely would not have rented it had we known that. The ceiling was much higher in the master bedroom which is where we ended up spending a lot of our time. Future renters should also know this place appears to be a trailer or mobile home that was updated or renovated. It was not what we were expecting and is quite different than the other multi-level homes surrounding it. It was not a big deal but thought I should mention it here because it is something we would have liked to know ahead of time. Overall, we had a good time and the place had a lot of nice amenities. You can tell the owners have put a lot of time and care into the place.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 25 July 2024
Hi Ashley. I’m glad you enjoyed your stay. I’m sorry if you didn’t realize the home is a mobile home that was placed there in the late 70s, and has been added onto over the years. We certainly have not intended to mislead you. There are several pictures in the listing that clearly show definition of the original single wide, and how close to the ground it is relative to other houses beside it. The doors are 6’-8” tall, which is standard for all doors in new and old homes. In the listing pictures you can also see that the 7’ ceilings in the main part of the home are just a few inches above these doors. Our bedroom was one of the add ons and does have 8’ ceilings, but still 6’-8” doors. Thanks for taking the time to post a review. Sincerely, Matt
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amy J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

1st time in a canal house…

We loved everything about this house! So charming. Beautiful spot on the water- we fished and pulled the boat up to the dock. The beds were comfortable, tv was great (football time), house was clean, well appointed and close to everything we love on Topsail. Short walk to the beach- access is right next to the playground- you do have to cross the busy road but there are sidewalks all the way and a crosswalk. Kay was helpful and responsive. We loved it and we’ll be back for sure!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Crystal T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great vacation home.

Will definitely be back.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tonya W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome place

The house was well stocked and had everything we needed! My kids really enjoyed the Kayaks!! We had a great time on the deck!!! My favorite spot!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

About the host

Hosted by Mike Fluharty

Host profile image
We live a short drive away and are in town as much as possible. Our family and close friends live on and off the island. This house is our home away from home. We hope you will enjoy AND CARE FOR IT AS IF IT WERE YOUR OWN!

Why they chose this property

This is a family neighborhood, not a party street. Permanent residents live all around the property.

What makes this property unique

Quiet street, family environment, but close to local restaurants and shopping.

Languages:

Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Norwegian, Romanian, Slovenian

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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